Necktie Knot Device

ABSTRACT

A necktie knot cover has two straps, one to go around the neck and the other to receive a tie. The cover provides an easy way to show color contrast on the wearer and a more sophisticated look.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/081,068, filed Nov. 18, 2014, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to neckties. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to necktie knot covers.

2. Description of Related Art

In the fashion industry, designers work tirelessly to set themselvesapart from the competition. Often, the designers are limited to agenerally universal fabric shape, and so they distinguish themselves bydesigning unique patterns for those shapes. For example, the malenecktie has remained largely unchanged since its inception. Fabric typesand thicknesses have changed, but the concept has remained the same.Therefore, necktie designers have relied on the printed or wovenpatterns to set their products apart from one another, each new patternrequiring a new necktie. To date, there has not been an easy andeconomical device to retrofit existing ties in order to include multiplepatterns or simplify the tying process.

There have been multiple attempts to change the necktie from thetraditional look, but the field suffers from many limitations. Onepossible solution is to provide a necktie knot cover, which covers thenecktie knot and allows for the knot cover to be a different color,fabric, or pattern from the necktie knot. However, the prior art necktieknot covers either require a special necktie to be compatible with theknot cover, or the cover requires folding the necktie in a way that thenecktie is not intended to be folded (such as along the width). Somedesigners have done away with the knot cover and designed a necktiewhich consists of patterns changing at the neck. However, these allsuffer from the disadvantages of requiring a special tie, or problemsachieving the proper length once worn. Therefore, a need exists tocreate a necktie knot cover which can be used with any traditional tie,and allows the user to wear their tie as they normally would.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred but non-limiting example, the necktie cover of thepresent invention includes a knot cover having a midpoint, three arcuatesides, and three straight sides, a lower strap connected to the knotcover; and an upper strap connected to the necktie cover, and locatedopposite the midpoint.

In another preferred but non-limiting example, the necktie cover of thepresent invention is adapted to cover a necktie knot and includes a knotcover having a midpoint, lower strap connected to the knot cover, and anupper strap connected to the necktie cover and located opposite themidpoint.

The necktie cover lower strap and knot cover can be made of a samematerial. The necktie cover can be sateen, silk, and/or contain wool.The upper strap can be elastic, and the knot cover can be a differentpattern from the necktie. The upper strap can also have a connector,which can be made of hooks and loops or a hook and eye closure.

Another preferred but non-limiting example of the present invention is amethod of using a necktie cover which includes tying a necktie into aknot, feeding the necktie through a lower strap of a necktie cover, andsecuring an upper strap around a neck such that the necktie cover coversthe knot.

In this method, the necktie cover can be a different pattern from thenecktie.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the necktie knot cover;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the necktie knot cover;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the necktie knot cover;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the necktie knot cover;

FIG. 5 is a transparent front view of the necktie knot cover over a tie;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the necktie knot cover over a tie;

FIG. 7 is a back view of the necktie knot cover over a tie;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the necktie knotcover in an unfastened position;

FIG. 9 is a back view of the necktie knot cover of FIG. 8 in a fastenedposition;

FIG. 10 is a front view of another alternative embodiment of the necktieknot cover in an unfastened position; and

FIG. 11 is a back view of the necktie knot cover of FIG. 10 in afastened position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asit is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understoodthat the invention may assume various alternative variations and stepsequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is alsoto be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated inthe attached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

As seen in FIG. 1, in a preferred but non-limiting example, the necktiecover 1 includes a knot cover 3, which covers a necktie knot, and anupper strap 5 to wrap around a user's neck. The knot cover 3 can be madeof any material which adequately covers the knot. In a preferredexample, the necktie knot cover 3 is made of a material or fabricsimilar to neckties, such as silk, cotton, wool, or sateen. The knotcover 3 may be a single layer of fabric, or other material, or two ormore layers with a filler between some or all of the layers. It may bepossible for the knot cover 3 to be made of a hard material in order tomaintain a consistent shape. The knot cover 3 can also be very elastic,or the knot can be of normal elasticity (i.e., the elasticity of a tie)and flexible. The knot cover 3 can also be transparent, where the knotcover 3 may be used as a shield to protect the necktie knot frombecoming dirty or undone.

The upper strap 5 can be a continuous piece of fabric, such as silk,sateen, elastic, cotton, wool, or any other known fabrics in the necktieindustry, or the necktie can be at least two pieces with an appropriatenumber of fasteners or connectors 17 such that a user would need tofasten the upper strap 5 to secure it around their neck. Any number offasteners can be used, such as a hook and loop, cravat clip hookfasteners (i.e. bowtie fastening clasps), an eye-hook, a togglefastener, an S hook, box tab insert, lobster claw, springring, fishhook,traditional buckle, cam buckle, or any other known fasteners or claspsfor fastening items to the neck, such as the fasteners used in lanyards,necklaces, or bracelets. The fasteners can be any metal, plastic, orother material which will not keep the upper strap 5 together when anormal force from use is applied to the upper strap 5 and/or clasp. Thefastener can be part of the upper strap 5, or could connect the upperstrap 5 to the knot cover 3.

The length of the upper strap 5 may be adjusted to neck size by the useof a second clasp, or any other known fabric length adjustors, such asstrap adjustors like a backpack shoulder strap.

The knot cover 3 preferably includes a combination of arcuate andstraight edges. In a preferred but non-limiting example, the knot cover3 includes six edges, wherein each consecutive edge alternates betweenan arcuate and a straight edge. The configuration of the edges of theknot cover 3 can depend on many factors in the fashion industry, such aswhich knots are more fashionable at the time. By altering the number ofedges, the degree, or lack of, curvature will determine how the knotcover 3 looks when in use. Accordingly, the present invention is notlimited to designs with alternating straight and arcuate edges. Forexample, on a six sided knot cover 3, there could be zero, one, two,three, four, five, or six arcuate edges.

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, in a preferred but non-limiting example, thenecktie cover 1 also includes a lower strap 7. The lower strap 7 securesthe knot cover 3 against the necktie by wrapping around the necktie. Theresult is a knot cover 3 which surrounds and disguises the necktie knotsuch that the knot (with the knot cover 3) looks identical andconsistent every time. The lower strap 7, like the upper strap 5, can beelastic, silk, sateen, cotton, wool, or any material, hard or soft,elastic or inelastic, which secures the necktie cover 3 against thenecktie knot. Also like the upper strap 5, the lower strap 7 can bemultiple lengths or pieces, such that a fastener or clasp is used tosecure it for use.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred but non-limiting example of the presentinvention where the upper strap 5 and lower strap 7 are separated by amidpoint 9. This allows the upper strap 5 to go around the neck and thelower strap 7 to wrap around the bottom of the necktie knot or close tothe bottom. Having these two points of contact on opposite sides of themidpoint 9 ensures that the necktie knot cover 3 is well-fitted againstthe necktie knot.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the tie cover, where the upper strap 5 isgreater in length than the lower strap 7.

FIGS. 5-7 show the knot cover covering and partially enveloping the knot15 of a necktie 11. As can be seen, the necktie 11 can be tied normallyto include a body, a knot 15, and a necktie band 13. In this way, a usercan use their regular ties without having to buy ties which arespecially adapted for the knot cover. The necktie can have a consistentlook with the tie, no matter how eloquently or poorly the user ties thetie. Not only does this provide a more sophisticated and outstandingstyle, it can save time by recreating a consistent look without repeatedefforts by the user to make the knot 15 acceptable. Because the necktiecover is useable with any traditional necktie 11, it is possible tocreate fashion statements by having the necktie 11 and necktie knotcover 3 be different materials, colors, or patterns.

In a preferred but non-limiting example, the upper strap 5 rests on topof the necktie band 13. This allows the user to put the tie on first,and then put the knot cover 3 in place. It is possible that the necktiecover could go on first, in which case the upper strap 5 would belocated below, or at least partially below, the necktie band 13.

As seen in FIG. 7 and discussed above, the advantage of having the upperstrap (not shown) and lower strap 7 separated by a midpoint is that theconfiguration allows for a secure connection to the tie knot. The exactthickness of the straps are not important, but it is preferred that theyare thick enough to ensure that the bottom and the top (relative to themidpoint) are secured with a strap. Also in FIG. 7, it is preferablethat the lower strap 7 be at or below the necktie knot 15.

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate two different embodiments of the necktie knotcover where the connectors 17 are illustrated in both an unfastened andfastened position. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 the necktie knot coverincludes cravat clip hook fasteners (i.e. bowtie fastening clasps) 117in the upper strap, as discussed above. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 theconnectors of the necktie knot cover may be Velcro® 217.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A necktie cover comprising: a. a knot coverhaving a midpoint, three arcuate sides, and three straight sides; b. alower strap connected to the knot cover; and c. an upper strap connectedto the necktie cover and located opposite the midpoint.
 2. The necktiecover of claim 1, wherein the lower strap and knot cover are made of asame material.
 3. The necktie cover of claim 1, wherein the necktiecover is sateen or silk.
 4. The necktie cover of claim 1, wherein thenecktie cover contains wool.
 5. The necktie cover of claim 1, whereinthe upper strap is elastic.
 6. The necktie cover of claim 1, wherein theknot cover is a different pattern from the necktie.
 7. The necktie coverof claim 1, wherein the upper strap has a connector.
 8. The necktiecover of claim 7, wherein the connector is Velcro®.
 9. The necktie coverof claim 7, wherein the connector is cravat clip hook fasteners.
 10. Anecktie cover adapted to covering a necktie knot comprising: a. a knotcover having a midpoint; b. a lower strap connected to the knot cover;and c. an upper strap connected to the necktie cover and locatedopposite the midpoint.
 11. The necktie cover of claim 10, wherein thelower strap and knot cover are made of a same material.
 12. The necktiecover of claim 10, wherein the necktie cover is sateen or silk.
 13. Thenecktie cover of claim 10, wherein the necktie cover contains wool. 14.The necktie cover of claim 10, wherein the upper strap is elastic. 15.The necktie cover of claim 10, wherein the knot cover is a differentpattern from the necktie.
 16. The necktie cover of claim 10, wherein theupper strap has a connector.
 17. The necktie cover of claim 16, whereinthe connector is hooks and loops or hook and eye.
 18. The necktie coverof claim 16, wherein the connector is a cravat clip hook fasteners. 19.A method of using a necktie cover comprising the steps of: a. tying anecktie into a knot; b. feeding the necktie through a lower strap of anecktie cover; and c. securing an upper strap around a neck such thatthe necktie cover covers the knot.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinthe necktie cover is a different pattern from the necktie.